Oligodendrocyte Piezo2 is a regulator of age-dependent myelin integrity and dysregulated in multiple sclerosis - retina snRNA-seq data

We found a bimodal expression pattern with Piezo1 in progenitors and Piezo2 in mature oligodendrocytes, which was conserved between mice and humans.

Using two different OL-specific loss-of-function approaches, we found Piezo2 to be relevant for myelin compactness and white matter integrity in aged mice. Ultrastructural imaging was paired with snRNA-seq analysis and motor function testing that confirmed regulatory roles of Piezo2 in motor function and white matter integrity. We complemented our work with a validation study in human control and multiple sclerosis optic nerve tissue, and found Piezo2 to be downregulated in OLs towards the lesion rim.